Election Year or Fear!

[Geoff Parkstone]

Peace through strength?!

[Andy_Faber]

Strikes me Meduro was a fraudster and effective dictator so who wouldn?t want him removed? Remains to be seen whether is results in peace

[ramAnag]

Strikes me Meduro was a fraudster and effective dictator so who wouldn?t want him removed? Remains to be seen whether is results in peace

I know little about Maduro, but it strikes me that if you referred to Mad Trump as a ‘fraudster and effective dictator’ you wouldn’t be far wrong and could reasonably ask the same question.
Nothing at all to do with Venezuelan oil reserves of course.

[SithHappens]

Trump has already said they will get involved in Venezuelas oil business. Also said decisions should will need to be made on the next leader in Venezuela.

Surely thats for the population to decide, nothing to do with Trump and the US

I think its widely accepted its an illegal act, regime change is illegal too.

They have cited drug trafficking as the main reason, this from Trump who pardoned Hernandez recently.

Im sure there will be many happy to see Maduro gone, and with justification, but does that give the US or any other country the right to make that decision and go to war illegally wherever we dislike those in leadership?

[Andy_Faber]

Im sure there will be many happy to see Maduro gone, and with justification, but does that give the US or any other country the right to make that decision and go to war illegally wherever we dislike those in leadership?

You’re probably right from an independent or Anti-Trump viewpoint (not saying you are) but I’m thinking of the population of Venezuela. I don’t know any Venezuelans but I know a couple of Belarusians who are quite envious

[SithHappens]

Well I don't like Trump, its no secret

I hope for the people of Venezuela it proves to be the start of something new, something better. I really do.

I think Ed Davey got it right in his response though.

Farage typically sort of fence sat but leaning towards supporting Trump.

Starmer, well he didn't really say anything at all but he is in a difficult position I guess.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Starmer not really saying anything? Quellesurprise

[SithHappens]

So it seems the US will take control of the running of Venezuela.

Surely Trump should be charged as a war criminal now.

Not a bad rap sheet, War Criminal, Rapist, Pedophile...Yet some defend him.

[SithHappens]

So he's now threatening to attack Cuba, Columbia and Mexico. Add to that his continued insistence he wants Greenland and Canada.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Mixed reactions it seems to latest Trumping - many expat Venezuelans happy to see end of regime but not the way it's been achieved.

Still I guess the professional protestors will have a new cause to move on to now the Gaza peace seems to have held (somewhat amazingly). At least the Venezuelan flag is nicer.

[SithHappens]

Reports in the Washington Post suggest Trump is not endorsing opposition leader Maria Corina Machado because she chose to accept the Nobel peace prize.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/01/04/us-venezuela-plan-trump-rubio-miller/

'Two people close to the White House said the president?s lack of interest in boosting Machado, despite her recent efforts to flatter Trump, stemmed from her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, an award the president has openly coveted.'

"Although Machado ultimately said she was dedicating the award to Trump, her acceptance of the prize was an ultimate sin, said one of the people.'

'If she had turned it down and said, I can't accept it because it's Donald Trump's, she'd be the president of Venezuela today, this person said.'

[SithHappens]

Post on X that shows how easy it is in opposition vs in government

https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1213096058965897216

[Geoff Parkstone]

Don't get it, looks like it's one Kier Starmer talking to another one - but I'm not a twitter user...

[SithHappens]

Don't get it, looks like it's one Kier Starmer talking to another one - but I'm not a twitter user...

Comments from 2020 saying world leaders should be strong enough to stand up to Trump and condemn his actions, which are contrary to his response on Venezuela.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate the difficult position he's in as PM but as they say there is always a post.

Like Farage calling in May to life the 2 child benefit cap and now is going to vote against it.

These politicians should realise what they say one day is permanently recorded for when they do the opposite later.

[ramAnag]

Comments from 2020 saying world leaders should be strong enough to stand up to Trump and condemn his actions, which are contrary to his response on Venezuela.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate the difficult position he's in as PM but as they say there is always a post.

Like Farage calling in May to life the 2 child benefit cap and now is going to vote against it.

These politicians should realise what they say one day is permanently recorded for when they do the opposite later.

As regards that last sentence, I’m not sure how long that will remain the case, Sith. We live in a time when blatant lying is par for the course and when AI is increasingly being used to disguise, or even add credibility, to the content of such untruths.
Half a century or so ago Nixon got caught out where his lies were concerned. Despite the huge increase in technology since the seventies I think he may have got away with it nowadays. Trump and his accolites seem to get away with more and more on an almost daily basis, his lies and bull sh1t seem to me to have been weaponised by communication technology. I doesn’t bode well imo.